Faithfullyours

Hey, Faithfuls! So I'm back in my hometown of Miri, and I stumbled upon Tototomato Cafe, a newly opened bagel spot that’s creating a buzz in Miri Times Square.

Known for their handcrafted bagels and desserts, this cafe brings an aesthetic coquette-style vibe that stands out from the crowd, and has a vibe reminiscent of Korean cafes.

Tototomato offers various dining spaces: plush sofas that feel like a cosy living room, a vintage organ my mum claimed looked just like the one she learned on back in the day, and a "marketplace" area where you can handpick bagels to put on a tray.

There's also a communal table for large groups, private nooks for family gatherings, and windowsill seats perfect for people-watching.

They only sell bagels here (aside from cakes), so I went for the Bagel On Three Cheese (RM20/~S$5.80). This plain bagel came with three cream cheese spreads: classic cream cheese, yam-flavoured, and one topped with spring onion and ham. The bagel was slightly crisp outside and fluffy inside—texturally perfect—but I found the spreads a bit one-note. A mix of maple syrup, black sesame, or even peanut butter would have been more exciting.

I felt like the Honey Garlic Cheese Bagel (RM10/~S$2.90) stole the show. Toasted perfectly, this bagel had a delightful balance of savoury garlic, melted cheese, and a drizzle of honey. Generously filled, it was satisfyingly rich and flavourful—easily my favourite dish of the day.

For something heartier, try the Avoland Bagel (RM24/~S$7), a wholesome serving of mashed avocado, dried tomatoes, a choice of scrambled or sunny-side-up egg, and a side of fresh fruits. My mum loved it for its simplicity, and the fruit added a refreshing touch.

My dad went for the Streaky Beef Bagel (RM35/~S$10.10), which was loaded with crispy streaky beef, mustard cream cheese, fresh greens, tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, a sunny-side up, and cheese. It felt more like a cross between a bagel and a sandwich, but the sweet-savoury combination worked beautifully.

For dessert, we shared the Pandan Mango Crepe (RM20/~S$5.80). This moist crepe seemed inspired by chendol, combining pandan, mango, and a hint of coconut. While the flavours were great, the cream was slightly overpowering and overshadowed the pandan’s delicate aroma.

On the drinks side, we had two cups of Hot Mocha (RM17/~S$4.90), served with adorable edible candy toppers (latte art toppers, perhaps?). The mocha leaned sweet but was enjoyable.

I also tried the Premium Matcha (RM18/~S$5.20), which looked promising with its deep green hue. While it had the right matcha-to-milk ratio, I wish I’d requested less sugar, as the sweetness overpowered the grassy matcha notes I love so much.

I do feel like Tototomato Cafe is a lovely addition to Miri’s cafe scene. We spent almost two hours here, chatting and savouring the food—even my grandma, who’s usually cautious about trying new food, enjoyed herself and said she’d return with friends.

Bagels may not be the most common fare in Miri, but Tototomato nails it with their creative offerings and cosy atmosphere. With its growing popularity, I’d suggest visiting before queues start forming. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in town!

Thanks for reading, and see you next post!

Tototomato Cafe @ Miri Times Square

Address: No. A-1-10, 1st Floor, Miri Time Square, 98000 Miri, Sarawak
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 10am to 5:30pm

Website

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Hey, Faithfuls! For my birthday this year, I decided to treat myself to a solo staycation because I love staying in hotels. After dinner and celebrations, I checked into Santa Grand Hotel East Coast, a charming boutique hotel located in the heart of Katong, my favourite neighbourhood in Singapore—as most readers of this blog would know!

The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Marine Parade MRT Station and is close to i12 Katong and Roxy Square, with plenty of cafes and eateries nearby. It’s also conveniently situated between the downtown core and Changi Airport, making it ideal for travellers.

The hotel is housed in a row of restored Peranakan shophouses with quaint Chinese-Peranakan architecture. The lobby is nothing overly Instagrammable, but it sets a cosy tone. There’s also a spacious waiting area with charging points and seating for guests.

I booked my room for about S$150 per night for their Deluxe Single room and checked in late at 8pm, after my dinner celebration. My room featured a window overlooking the back alleys—quiet with plenty of privacy. The 32-inch flat-screen TV had cable channels, and I was mostly on BBC, just playing news in the background for some noise.

The bed was super comfy, with plush bedding and a supportive mattress for a restful sleep.

Complimentary water bottles, tea and coffee sachets, and even old-school kopitiam cups added a nostalgic touch. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I noticed the price tags still attached to the bottom of the cups.

There's also a mini fridge stocked with Yeo’s packet teas. As for the wardrobe, it was compact yet sufficient for two people, equipped with wooden hangers, a safe, slippers, and even an ironing board.

The bathroom was clean and functional, with a bidet hose, toiletries, and towels provided. The separate shower area kept the floor dry—something I always appreciate!

Also love that there's a vanity mirror and hairdryer too.

Santa Grand Hotel East Coast's rooftop pool is worth a visit, as it offers a nice respite from city life with quaint views of the surrounding shophouses. There are lounge chairs for sunbathing and showers to rinse off after a swim too.

If you’re planning a stay, Santa Grand Hotel East Coast offers 30% off with their Early Bird Promotion or 28% off when you book within 7 days of arrival—great for both planners and last-minute staycationers.

This staycation was the perfect little getaway to celebrate my birthday. If you’re looking for a cosy, budget stay in the Katong area, I highly recommend giving Santa Grand Hotel East Coast a try. Also, shameless plug incoming: book using my affiliate code, please; it'll help me earn some moolah to fund my lavish lifestyle that I can't afford.

Thanks for reading, and see you next post!

Book a staycation at Santa Grand Hotel East Coast

Santa Grand Hotel East Coast

Address: 171 East Coast Road, Singapore 428877
Telephone: +65 6344 6866
Website

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Hey, Faithfuls! Since I just got back from Istanbul, I’ve been craving Turkish food like crazy—so when I got invited for a tasting at Anatolia Restaurant on Arab Street, I was all in and dragged my cousin and sister along. I’ve tried another Turkish spot here called Ayasofya Turkish Restaurant, but for some reason, I had never gotten around to Anatolia, despite walking past it a few times.

Anatolia is definitely a bit touristy with its vibrant blue decor and Turkish vibe. You can sit indoors with murals of Anatolia and those iconic Tiffany-style hanging lamps, or go al fresco with a view of Kampong Glam setting the mood.

We opted to sit outside, taking in the sights and sounds—it really did feel like a mini-Turkey experience. BTW, the restaurant serves Lebanese food too!

We started off with the Mezza Platter (S$46.90), which came loaded with all the essentials: hummus, moutabal, baba ganoush, dolma, tzatziki, muhammara, and this massive lavash flatbread. The hummus was creamy with a nice balance of tanginess, while the baba ganoush had this smoky depth to it that made it hard to stop dipping.

As for the lavash, I was blown away by its sheer size—XXL AF! I noticed other tables getting these poofy versions, but ours was flatter, which was a bit sed. Still, the lavash was warm, soft, and deliciously fluffy on the inside.

For mains, we tried the Mix Grill for 2 Pax (S$74.90), which arrived with a dramatic presentation, complete with open flames on the side of the platter! It came with lamb shish, chicken shish, adana lamb and chicken kebabs, lamb chop, chicken wings, butter rice, Turkish salad, grilled chilli and tomato, and a Turkish-style sauce.

The chicken was honestly one of the highlights; it was super tender, probably some of the most tender chicken I’ve had. It was beautifully marinated, giving it a subtle smokiness and a nice herb-infused flavour. The lamb had a slight chew and a hint of gaminess, but not so much that it overwhelmed the taste.

For drinks, I ordered an Apple Juice (S$11.90), but at that price, I wish I was enjoying a simple, affordable cup of hot Turkish apple tea in Istanbul instead! It was fresh with a bit of tartness, but for almost S$12, I’d expect something more than what was served.

Overall, Anatolia is a bit on the pricey side, but the atmosphere and the authentic flavours make it worth a visit for a special occasion or if you’re really craving Turkish food. It’s probably not going to be my regular spot, but I’d come back just for the vibes and that amazing chicken!

Anatolia Restaurant @ Arab Street
Address: 58 Arab Street, Singapore 199755
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 11pm
Telephone: +65 9649 8099
Website

Love this post? Feel free to share and comment below or check out my Ayasofya Turkish Restaurant review for more authentic Turkish food in Singapore. Follow my Instagram @faithjoanchua, Lemon8, TikTok, and YouTube for more content.

Hey, Faithfuls! So I was wandering around Bugis with my sister when we suddenly started craving mala out of nowhere. Usually, I stick to hawker centres or a kopitiam for my mala fix—prices are typically more wallet-friendly there. But when I spotted Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang at Bugis+, I was rather intrigued. Yang Guo Fu is known as China’s biggest mala chain with over 6,000 outlets worldwide, and has made its mark in countries like Japan, Canada, and Australia. After browsing their menu and seeing their decent prices, we decided to give it a try.

At Yang Guo Fu, your meal starts by picking out your own ingredients, which are then weighed, cooked, and served in a soup base of your choice: Mild, Medium, or Spicy.

They offer a huge selection, with over 60 mala ingredients ranging from tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables to a variety of noodles, seafood, and meats. The cool thing here is that some ingredients, like white and black fungus, are shipped from China, and the soft beancurd, AKA tau kwa, is made fresh with YGF’s own recipe. It has delicate bight and is slightly softer than local tau kwa.

The price for all items is fixed at S$2.88 per 100 grams, so while it’s not the cheapest option, it’s easy to calculate costs and go by weight without worrying about specific ingredient pricing.

I personally love you tiao, so I added that to my bowl, and it came nicely toasted—perfect for soaking up the soup and sauces. Plus, YGF's colourful noodles, made in-house, add a fun twist with flavours like sweet potato, spinach, and carrot.

The eatery also have sauce stations where you can mix and match the different condiments to come up with your own sauce, just like at Hai Di Lao or hotpot. You can add sesame paste, garlic paste, crunchy peanuts, and other toppings to customise your bowl.

Yang Guo Fu offers three main bases to choose from: Spicy Mala Beef Broth, Tomato Broth, and Mala Ban. The Spicy Mala Beef Broth seems to be the most popular, made from brewing premium beef bones and oxtails with various herbs and spices over low heat for eight hours to make it flavourful and aromatic.

As for the Tomato Broth, it's vegetarian-friendly, non-spicy, and has a rich, tangy taste. Fresh tomatoes give it a sweet and sour flavour that’s quite addictive. Then there’s the Mala Ban, a dry version where the ingredients are first blanched in a special broth before being tossed in a secret-recipe mala sauce, with sesame and crushed peanuts for added fragrance.

I went for the Mala Ban, the dry mala, as I'm a fan of dry mala's intense flavour. It was super tasty and not overly oily, though I did wish for a bit more numbing spice. It was a tad dry for my preference—I prefer a touch more sauce to coat everything—but I think this makes it a healthier option. The noodles were a highlight: al dente with just the right firmness.

Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang does get pretty packed during dinnertime, even on weekdays, with a steady crowd of diners. While there are solo diner tables available, it’s more of a “dine and go” kind of spot—definitely not a place to settle in for a relaxed chat. The ambience is lively but can feel a bit overwhelming: the space is narrow, making it hard to move around, and it’s often noisy. Maybe this adds to people’s irritability, like this NPC-looking uncle with a balding head and bulging belly who tsk-ed at us when we were passing by. Rude.

To avoid these sorry-looking muppets, I’d recommend coming around 8pm when the crowd dies down. You’re more likely to find open tables, and you might even get to sit a bit longer without feeling rushed!

People do say YGF is on the more expensive side, but considering the location and the comfortable air-conditioned seating, I found it decent. My sister and I shared a bowl, and it was plenty for two average eaters. For sinkies who complain it's too expensive, I tell them to stop whining and go to a kopitiam.

Thanks for reading, and see you next post!

Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang @ Bugis+
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #01-16, Bugis+, Singapore 188026
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9:30pm

Website

Love this post? Feel free to share and comment below or check out my JUGe 聚歌 Entertainment review for private karaoke rooms and Sichuan food in Singapore. Follow my Instagram @faithjoanchua, Lemon8, TikTok, and YouTube for more content.

Hey, Faithfuls! So, I've been on the hunt for a contact lens brand that’s not just pretty but also high-quality and reliable. My eyes are pretty sensitive, so I can’t just go around buying any random lenses online. After doing some research, I stumbled upon byCaxs—a Singaporean brand founded by Cassandra Tan. byCaxs was founded with the mission to provide girlies everywhere with safe, high-quality coloured contacts in Singapore, so I thought, why not support a local brand?

byCaxs first launched online in 2017, kicking off with a curated line of gorgeous lashes. Fast forward to 2020, they opened their first physical byCaxs Doll Parlour pop-up at Takashimaya and now have a flagship store at Raffles City. Fun fact: byCaxs is also the first-ever Singaporean cosmetic brand to retail on Sephora SG online!

I purchased my byCaxs contact lenses online and made payment before booking an appointment with an optometrist at their Doll Parlour. A pair of contact lenses is priced from S$20. I got my byCaxs Pure Bronze Doll Eyes contact lenses for S$30. You can pay using Atome too!

Their Doll Parlours are so pretty. When I went down, I was met with hot pink interiors and a vibrant, eye-catching sign that looked straight out of Broadway. All byCaxs contact lenses are Health Sciences Authority-certified, so they’re safe for sure. You can pick between daily and monthly lenses, with monthlies offering a bit more pop in terms of tone.

When you walk in for your byCaxs appointment, you’re greeted by optometrists decked out in pink, and they’ll help with a FREE full eye check-up if you’re a first-timer. They'll take note of your degree, astigmatism (if any), and give you a prescription card that’s valid for a year. After that, you can easily reorder online and either have the lenses shipped or pick them up in-store.

The lenses themselves have been such a hit with me! I’ve been wearing them for a while, and they’re super comfy, and the design is beautiful—I've had so many compliments.

If you’re looking for lenses that look great and feel good, definitely give byCaxs a try. Thanks for reading, and see you next post!

byCaxs Doll Parlour @ Raffles City

Address: #B1-K9, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Telephone: +65 8815 9302

Website

Love this post? Feel free to share and comment below or check out my review of The Beauty Ritual for eyelash extensions in the North. Follow my Instagram @faithjoanchua, Lemon8, TikTok, and YouTube for more content.

Hey, Faithfuls! Y'all know how strawberry matcha lattes are all the rage now, and my friend recommended this cosy cafe with a good strawberry matcha latte, so I had to check it out! Nestled in the vibrant heart of Kampong Glam, NSH Coffee, AKA No Strangers Here, is a fresh, cosy spot with a creative menu for coffee lovers and those looking to try something new.

NSH Coffee is tucked away on the quieter end of Arab Street, offering a brief respite where you can unwind with a view of the buzzing street scene without feeling overwhelmed by the crowds.

The space is intimate, with a few indoor seats, creating a cosy hideaway vibe. They have a Muslim-friendly restaurant next door too!

NSH’s menu has a balance of classic coffee drinks like espressos and Spanish lattes, along with fun twists like strawberry matcha lattes and foam coffees. The bold and slightly tangy orange coffee is also a standout for adventurous drinkers. To complement these drinks, they offer a mix of sweets like Nutella croissants and desserts like tiramisu and burnt cheesecake.

I got myself a cup of Strawberry & Matcha Latte (S$7). The subtle sweetness of the strawberry syrup meets the earthy, slightly bitter undertones of matcha, creating a beautiful balance. It’s not overly sweet, so you get to enjoy both flavours in harmony.

There's also Blue Matcha (S$7). This one was an eye-catcher with its vibrant blue colour, thanks to the butterfly pea flower. Topped with a layer of matcha cream, the visually striking drink is smooth and mild, while the matcha cream adds a richer layer.

My friend got the Charcoal Matcha (S$7), which is essentially a goma (black sesame) matcha latte. The drink has a nice thickness, but the matcha still shines through, making it a suitable choice for fans of richer, less sweet drinks.

NSH Coffee also has a range of treats that are perfect to accompany your drink. I tried the Burnt Cheesecake (S$11), and while it was denser than a typical Basque cheesecake, I found it a bit dry and missing the melt-in-your-mouth feel. It also lacked the caramelised flavour I love in a good Basque-style cheesecake, so for the price, I’d hoped for something more impressive.

Overall, I had a good time at NSH Coffee, although I have to say the drinks outshine their desserts. The strawberry matcha latte is also one of the more affordable ones I've had so far, as other cafes price 'em as high as S$10. If you’re a matcha latte gurlie or someone just looking for a new go-to cafe in the area, check out NSH Coffee for yourself!

NSH Coffee @ Kampong Glam

Address: 39 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198487
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 8pm
Telephone: +65 8022 9647

Website

Love this post? Feel free to share and comment below or check out my Big Short Coffee review for cocktail-inspired coffee in Joo Chiat. Follow my Instagram @faithjoanchua, Lemon8, TikTok, and YouTube for more content.

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